MELAKA – Four restaurants and hotel kitchens, including a four-star hotel in Melaka, were ordered to temporarily close due to filthy conditions as well as cockroach and rat infestations.
State Health director Datuk Dr Rusdi Abd Rahman said the premises were told to close for 17 days under Section 11 of the Food Act 1983 as part of the department’s two-day Ops Hotel operations starting Tuesday.
He said in addition, 14 compounds totalling RM10,400 were also issued under the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009 for various offences including employees with no anti-typhoid injections, not undergoing food handlers’ courses, and not wearing aprons and head coverings.
A total of 40 hotels around Melaka, including at Melaka International Trade Centre, Ayer Keroh, Bukit Katil, Jalan Tun Sri Lanang, Jalan Hang Tuah, Banda Hilir, Melaka Raya, and Pulau Melaka were inspected.
“Based on inspections carried out, the level of cleanliness of four restaurants or hotel kitchens was found to be unsatisfactory and closure orders have been issued for cleaning work to be carried out by the hotels,” he said in a statement here today.
Apart from that, he said as many as eight hotels inspected were also found to have breeding places for mosquito larvae and nine compound fines totalling RM4,500 were issued to the hotel owners under the Destruction of Disease-Bearing Insects Act 1975.
He said the Food Safety and Quality Division and the Inspectorate and Legislation Unit will continue to monitor all food and beverage premises, especially hotels, in the state to ensure compliance with the Food Act and other acts enforced under the department.
Dr Rusdi said the state Health Department is always alert and concerned about hygiene issues that may threaten public health, considering that Melaka is a tourism-oriented state frequented by domestic and foreign visitors.
“If there are any concerns regarding food safety and the hygiene of premises, the public can contact the nearest district health office or the state Health Department,” he said.
He said complaints can also be made at moh.spab.gov.my. – Bernama, December 2, 2022
